William Haley, a race relations agent and son of Alex Haley, author of the famous book "Roots," delivered Elon's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address in Whitley Auditorium Thursday, Jan. 13. Details...
Haley said young people were at the center of Martin Luther King’s fight for justice, and he encouraged today’s youth to advance the cause.
“Dr. King’s strength came not from the ministers around him, but rather the young people,” Haley said. “It was the young people who came to the rallies, who sat at the lunch counters and said I don’t care if you beat me or attack me with dogs, I’m willing to pay the price.”
Haley said discrimination in America has moved beyond the overt stage, but still exists in a variety of subtle ways. “We see a group of people, and we expect them to act a certain way.”
He said every person must be prepared to confront discrimination individually, but finding others to join the fight can be difficult.
“If people talk at you, not to you, you must confront it. You can’t accommodate it,” Haley said. “If you find a place that discriminates, you can organize a boycott. Sounds simple, but it isn’t. There are many people who don’t want to get involved, who don’t want to put themselves on the line.”
In observance of King’s birthday, Haley challenged the audience to do two things. “Don’t accommodate discrimination or things that are morally or spiritually offensive,” Haley said. Also, “give service…spend some time this week, or this month” to help someone in need.
President Leo M. Lambert offered a welcome on behalf of the university community.
“I am pleased that Elon University comes together in celebration of Dr. King’s vision of human worth and dignity, of social change without violence and service to community, and I commend you for affirming those ideals by your presence here today,” Lambert said. “We all value the dynamism that a multicultural community engenders, and the University continues to strive for diversity in all that we do.”
The program featured several selections by the Elon University Gospel Choir and an invocation by assistant chaplain Kate Colussy-Estes. Sophomore LeBron Saulter, recently honored with the Mr. Black Cultural Society award, introduced Haley before his address.
Also at the event, Burlington 7th grader Elliott Jeffries “Jeff” Lynch was recognized as the winner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest, sponsored by the Elon University Multicultural Affairs Council. Click on the link below to find out more….